Saturday, 30 December 2017

The things I wish for you in 2018

The ten things I wish for you in 2018

As we move into the new year, as cliché as
it sounds, it certainly is a time for deep reflection and gratitude. In my
tenth year as a fitness professional, I see the same patterns every new year
period. To be honest, I have moments when I am just so tired of hearing the same thing over and over again. The reasons people can't put their health first, can't move their body, can't get to the gym or do some exercise, can't eat well, etc etc. At what point do we say 'enough!' and just do it.

As I think about all the people in my
world, the people I work with, clients, my friends and family, there are ten consistent things I wish for all of you as we move into
yet another new year.

1.Take stock of your health. Don’t just talk about it, don’t think about it, just do it. Connect
with people who are serious about health and fitness, not those that are just
going to get your body moving. Get people on your team who will hold you
accountable and speak to you honestly and openly about where you are now and
where you need to be. Yes, exercise should be fun, but you also need to train
smart. Find someone who gets this and delivers results. You can’t mess around
with your health, and nor should they. Start by getting yourself measured. Get
a body composition scan and find out the real hard facts. Then, move forward and
never stop again. Please don’t assume that walking your dog or takinga morning run will be enough. They aren’t.
There is more than enough evidence and research available, that indicates
proper strength training isn’t only important, it is critical. But learn how to do it properly.

2.Be proud of the hard workers
in your world. There are people around you who are
seriously hustling hard. They work their butts off. It’s time to stop criticising
these people. Instead – watch them. Watch the joy they get from their work.
They are connected to their greater purpose and don’t give a stuff about how
many hours they work to achieve it. So please stop telling these people to take
a holiday. Instead – watch their every move. They radiate joy. They are where
they’re meant to be, and if you stop criticising them and be inspired by them
instead, you may just open up another world of possibilities. Now I'm not talking about those people that work excessive hours, but hate what they do, are constantly stressed and constantly wait for the weekend to arrive. I'm talking about people who willingly and happily immerse themselves in their work because they are fulfilling their life's purpose.

We work our butts off, but we wouldn't change it for the world
We will rest when we are done!
When you love what you do and you are living your purpose,
you don't count the hours you work each day. The number doesn't matter.

3.Set a goal that scares the
fuck out of you. Don’t just exist in 2018. Live!
Set a goal that absolutely makes you shit your pants and then do everything you
can to nail it. Stop at nothing, leave no rock unturned. You will look back at
2018 on the 31st December and be amazed at what you achieved. Nothing is impossible, you just have to change the way you think about it.

4.Stop making excuses. No seriously, stop. You are not too busy, too stressed, too tired,
too broke, too important, too sick, too injured to actually take care of your
body. You get one body in this world. Why would you put any of those excuses
ahead of living in the healthiest, fittest, most beautiful body you can create?
Yes – you do deserve this, so stop making excuses. We have heard them all. Oh,
and forget making excuses for each other too. I know someone who constantly
makes excuses for her family’s inability to lose weight and take care of
themselves. They aren’t the only problem, she is part of it too. Simple.

5.Don’t let other people
decide or design your happiness. Your partner
included. You are in control of your own destiny. If you know you are being
sabotaged by a family member, partner, friend or child, then guess who has the
ability to change this…? One hint: it’s not them.

6.Just eat well. It’s actually not that hard to make consistently healthy and
nutritious choices. What’s actually hard is making the decision to do so. Many
people tell us it’s too hard to eat healthy. In fact, that’s the story you’re
telling yourself. You just need to choose healthy foods when you are at the
shop. Your kids will adjust, and so will your partner. And eventually they will
thank you for it. But if they don’t want to change, that’s ok, but it doesn’t
mean you can’t. And please don’t tell us you don’t know how to eat well. You
do. You’re choosing not to. And if you genuinely need help, then get help.
There are a million professionals on this earth who are as obsessed as I am at
helping you. Take the first step and let them help you. Then put that help into
practice.

Still don't understand food and nutrition. These guys are the bomb.thechieflife.com
Tell them Ritual HQ sent you!

7.Divorce the bottle. Make this year the year you end your reliance on alcohol. Yep,
enjoy it socially for a special occasion, but stop telling yourself that
alcohol is your only way of handling stressful work days, tragedy, an annoying partner
or kids, getting to sleep, or celebrating anything. Get control back over the
bottle. It’s quite liberating. But seriously, you need to do this. My clients
who have the most injuries or pain are those that refuse to take a break from
alcohol. Alcohol = severe inflammation of the body. And it also contributes to
high stress levels, hormonal imbalances, weight issues, bloating, poor skin and
hair, reduced strength, poor sleep, and mental health issues. So tell me again
how you absolutely need that wine to cope with your day?

Check out the Hello Sunday Morning website for wonderful
support and resources.

8.Move every day. Find a way to move your beautiful body every day. Walk, run, ride a
bike, hit the gym, make love, play with your kids outside. But please – move
your body. Get the blood pumping and keep your body free from stress and
stiffness.

9.Make love more. Too many clients that I work
with in the fitness industry tell me that they have a non-existent sex life.
This is a natural and functional human right. Making love is how we connect
with the person that we love. Love freely and openly and bring the fun back
into your world. Spend less time on the treadmill and more time with your mate.
I often prescribe sex as cardio…commit to a one-month challenge with your
partner of daily sex and let me know how you go. Yes, every day!

10.Acknowledge that your time is limited.
Knowing that our time is ticking away and so incredibly precious is something I
connect with daily. When I spend time with my thoughts and when thinking about
my big scary goals, I reflect on time and I remember how fleeting it is. My dad
was gone in his 50’s and I have already had a major health scare and I’m not
yet 40. So stop doing what society tells you is ‘normal’. Make the scary
decisions, live and love freely, go on some adventures, be different (not
normal), train hard, eat well, nourish your body, work your arse off doing
something you love, hug your kids, let go of shit (yes – all of the shit),
don’t hold stupid grudges, stop bitching about people and just love them (even
the really annoying ones) and most importantly, be grateful, beyond words, for
the gift of life – and don’t fucking waste it!